How Coal Preparation Plant Operational Practices Can Conflict with Optimum Plant Performance and Have a Negative Impact on a Coal Mine’s Operating Costs and Profits

摘要

Often the day to day objectives of a coal preparation operations staff are set by the mine management and these objectives can be at odds with mine profitability. Plant operations personnel are driven to maximize the amount of raw coal processed and minimize their operating costs. This paper will present the case that pursuing these objectives as prime targets will lead to the loss of recoverable coal and that this loss of potential plant yield has a large negative impact on mine profitability. A focus on maintaining and maximizing plant yield is the best way to maximize mine profitability.